'''East Java''' (''Jawa Timur'') [http://www.jatim.go.id] covers the eastern third of the island of [[Java]], [[Indonesia]], as well as the island of [[Madura]] and several small offshore islands.

'''East Java''' (''Jawa Timur'') [http://www.jatim.go.id] covers the eastern third of the island of [[Java]], [[Indonesia]], as well as the island of [[Madura]] and several small offshore islands.

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==Understand==

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==Cities==

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The spine of East Java is dominated by a series of rugged, spectacular volcanic peaks. The most famous of these are in the [[Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park]] and Semeru and Bromo together make up one of the great iconic images of Indonesia. There are four volcanic peaks higher than 3,000 metres in the region. This volcanic activity has created a largely fertile area and verdant agriculture is a prominent feature of the area.

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Both the north and south coasts offer some beautiful, deep, fine sand beaches and these are another key attraction of the region.

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The two large southern national parks of Alas Purwo and Meru Betiri are remote and sparsely populated and represent the nearest thing to a wilderness experience that you will find on Java. In the north-east, Baluran National Park recalls African Savannah plains.

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The island of [[Madura]] sits off the north eastern coast of the region and is as ''off-the-beaten-track'' as you can get in this part of Indonesia. That may be changing though as the road bridge linking Surabaya to Madura opened in mid-2009.

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[[Surabaya]] is the capital city and Indonesia's second largest. It is though largely bereft of attractions, over-crowded, polluted and supports sprawling industry. Few visitors stay in Surabaya for reasons of tourism. [[Malang]] is the second city of the region and a bigger contrast to Surabaya could not be imagined. It is a clean, airy city with an important and interesting history.

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[[Image:East Java Region map.png|thumb|right|470px|Map of East Java]]

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[[Image:East Java Region map.png|thumb|right|500px|Map of East Java]]

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==Cities==

* [[Surabaya]] — capital of the region; Indonesia's second-largest city and a huge industrial sprawl

* [[Surabaya]] — capital of the region; Indonesia's second-largest city and a huge industrial sprawl

* [[Bondowoso]] - THE LOST ANCIENT,Prehistoric stones scattered in the region and almost forgotten.the Ijen Crater west Gateway

==Other destinations==

==Other destinations==

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* [[Baluran National Park]] &mdash; large forest and coastal park. Relatively easy access to and from [[Bali]]

* [[Baluran National Park]] &mdash; large forest and coastal park. Relatively easy access to and from [[Bali]]

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* [[Blitar]] &mdash; birthplace of Indonesia's first president and independence hero, Sukarno

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* [[Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park]] &mdash; popular hiking destination featuring the still-rumbling [[Mount Bromo]]. The star attraction in the region, however it may be closed at times depending upon the eruptive status of the caldera

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* [[Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park]] &mdash; popular hiking destination featuring the still-rumbling [[Mount Bromo]]. The star attraction in the region

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* [[Madura]] &mdash; a dry and crowded island very much off the beaten path for visitors

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* [[Pacitan]]

* [[Pulau Sempu]]

* [[Pulau Sempu]]

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* [[Madura]] &mdash; a dry and crowded island very much off the beaten path for visitors

* [[Sukamade]] &mdash; turtle conservation beach

* [[Sukamade]] &mdash; turtle conservation beach

* [[Trenggalek]] &mdash; beautiful white sand beaches

* [[Trenggalek]] &mdash; beautiful white sand beaches

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* [[Madakaripura]] &mdash; most popular waterfall in east java

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* [[Kalianyar Village]];Beautiful scenery and quiet place

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==Talk==

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==Understand==

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People in East Java speak [[Indonesian phrasebook|Indonesian]] as well as [[Javanese phrasebook|Javanese]] which they mix together at times. A significant minority also speak [[Madurese phrasebook|Madurese]]. English will be understood and spoken at large city hotels and at obvious tourist destinations.

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The spine of East Java is dominated by a series of rugged, spectacular volcanic peaks. The most famous of these are in the [[Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park]] and Semeru and Bromo together make up one of the great iconic images of Indonesia. There are four volcanic peaks higher than 3,000 m in the region. This volcanic activity has created a largely fertile area and verdant agriculture is a prominent feature of the area.

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For all place names, beware that in the local East Javanese accent, "A" and "O" are largely interchangable: often the official spelling uses "A", but the locals pronounce it "O". Hence a resident of [[Surabaya]] is locally an ''arek Suroboyo'' and eg. [[Cemoro Lawang]] and ''Cemara Lawang'' are the same place.

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Both the north and south coasts offer some beautiful, deep, fine sand beaches and these are another key attraction of the region.

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==Get in==

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The two large southern national parks of Alas Purwo and Meru Betiri are remote and sparsely populated and represent the nearest thing to a wilderness experience that you will find on Java. In the north-east, Baluran National Park recalls African Savannah plains.

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===By plane===

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The island of [[Madura]] sits off the north eastern coast of the region and is as ''off-the-beaten-track'' as you can get in this part of Indonesia. That is slowly changing as the road bridge linking Surabaya to Madura opened in mid-2009.

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{{warningbox|'''Disruption to flights to and from airports in [[East Java]], [[Bali]], [[Lombok]] and [[Sumbawa]])

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[[Surabaya]] is the capital city and Indonesia's second largest. It is though largely bereft of attractions, over-crowded, polluted and supports sprawling industry. Few visitors stay in Surabaya for reasons of tourism. [[Malang]] is the second city of the region and a bigger contrast to Surabaya could not be imagined. It is a clean, airy city with an important and interesting history.

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==Talk==

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On 27 January 2011, a number of flights to and from Indonesian airports in [[East Java]], [[Bali]] and [[Lombok]] were cancelled due to potential aircraft operational concerns arising from the volcanic ash plume from the eruption of Tenggar caldera in the [[Mount Bromo]] volcano complex 25 km (16 mi) west of [[Malang]] entering into the flight corridors used by aircraft approaching and departing from airports in the near vicinity of the volcano. The Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport (IATA:MLG) at [[Malang]] in [[East Java]] is subject to closures and operational caution has been recommended for flights into and leaving Juanda International Airport (IATA:SUB) in [[Surabaya]].

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People in East Java speak [[Indonesian phrasebook|Indonesian]] as well as [[Javanese phrasebook|Javanese]] which they mix together at times. A significant minority also speak [[Madurese phrasebook|Madurese]]. English will be understood and spoken at large city hotels and at obvious tourist destinations.

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On the 27 January and 28 January the Volcanic Ash Advisory issued from the VAAC (Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre located in [[Darwin]] [[Australia]] reported a volcanic ash plume arising from the Tenggar caldera of Mount Bromo, extending to 5,500 m (18,000 ft) and travelling 370 km (200 nautical mi) to the east and at times to the south east.

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For all place names, beware that in the local East Javanese accent, "A" and "O" are largely interchangable: often the official spelling uses "A", but the locals pronounce it "O". Hence a resident of [[Surabaya]] is locally an ''arek Suroboyo'' and [[Cemoro Lawang]] and ''Cemara Lawang'' are the same place.

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Flight disruptions could continue in effected parts of Indonesia. You should monitor the media for information concerning flight disruptions if your are considering travel into or within [[East Java]], [[Bali]], [[Lombok]] and [[Sumbawa]].}}

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==Get in==

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<!--This warning box should be changed to an {{infobox}} as soon as the volcanic ash derived flight disruption problem subsides (28 january 2011) -->

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===By plane===

Surabaya's Juanda Airport ({{IATA|SUB}}) [http://www.angkasapura1.co.id/eng/location/surabaya.htm] is one of the busiest in Indonesia, with very frequent flights from [[Jakarta]], [[Bali]] and other major Indonesian destinations. There are some direct international flights from destinations including [[Singapore]], [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Johor Bahru]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Taipei]], and [[Bandar Seri Begawan]].

Surabaya's Juanda Airport ({{IATA|SUB}}) [http://www.angkasapura1.co.id/eng/location/surabaya.htm] is one of the busiest in Indonesia, with very frequent flights from [[Jakarta]], [[Bali]] and other major Indonesian destinations. There are some direct international flights from destinations including [[Singapore]], [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Johor Bahru]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Taipei]], and [[Bandar Seri Begawan]].

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Malang's Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport ({{IATA|MLG}}) is a small airport with a few flights everyday from [[Jakarta]].

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Malang's Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport ({{IATA|MLG}}) is a small airport with a few flights everyday from [[Jakarta]] and [[Bali]].

===By train===

===By train===

Line 73:

Line 69:

===By ferry===

===By ferry===

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Ferries ply the route between [[Gilimanuk]], [[Bali]] and [[Banyuwangi]] every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day. The crossing itself takes about 30 minutes, although embarking and disembarking can take much longer.

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Surabaya is a major port city and virtually every major coastal city in Indonesia is connected in some way. Check the national passenger ship operator Pelni for detailed information [http://www.pelni.com/].

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Ferries ply the route between [[Gilimanuk]], [[Bali]] and [[Banyuwangi]] every 20 min, 24 hr a day. The crossing itself takes about 30 min, although embarking and disembarking can take much longer.

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Surabaya is a major national and international port city and virtually every major coastal city in Indonesia is connected to it in some way. Check the national passenger ship operator Pelni [http://www.pelni.com/]for detailed information.

===By bus===

===By bus===

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Frequent buses travel across Java and this is a reliable, if not always comfortable, method of travel. All of the the major cities and towns in the region can be reached by bus.

Frequent buses travel across Java and this is a reliable, if not always comfortable, method of travel. All of the the major cities and towns in the region can be reached by bus.

Line 83:

Line 81:

===By car===

===By car===

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Driving anywhere is Java is a hazardous business for visitors not used to Indonesian driving habits. East Java is no exception and visitors are advised to rent a car with a driver if this is your chosen method of getting around in the region.

Driving anywhere is Java is a hazardous business for visitors not used to Indonesian driving habits. East Java is no exception and visitors are advised to rent a car with a driver if this is your chosen method of getting around in the region.

===By train===

===By train===

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The region is well served by the national rail network which connects all major cities and towns [http://www.infoka.kereta-api.com/].

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The region is well served by the national rail network which connects all major cities and towns. [http://www.infoka.kereta-api.com/]

==See==

==See==

[[Image:Bromo-semeru-sunrise-landscape.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Sunrise at the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park]]

[[Image:Bromo-semeru-sunrise-landscape.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Sunrise at the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park]]

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The '''[[Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park]]''' is the main attraction in East Java and accounts for a large percentage of overseas tourists who visit the region. The national park is named after its two mountains, Mount Semeru (the highest in Java at 3,676 metres), Mount Bromo (the most popular) and the Tengger people who inhabit the area. Mount Semeru also known as Mahameru (''Great Mountain''), is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. Semeru is often closed due to its highly active nature. There are many opportunities for trekking in the park to suite all levels of physical fitness. One of the most popular activities (especially for the less energetic!) is to stay in one of the simple lodges in the park, then drive up to the top of Mount Penanjakan (2,770m) in a 4 x 4 jeep pre-dawn and wait for a truly spectacular sunrise. Later in the day, a slightly more arduous 90 minute climb up to the rim of the Mount Bromo caldera to view the bubbling active crater is very worthwhile. You can also make this ascent seated atop one of the local ponies.

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The '''[[Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park]]''' is the main attraction in East Java and accounts for a large percentage of overseas tourists who visit the region. The national park is named after its two mountains, Mount Semeru (the highest in Java at 3,676 m, Mount Bromo. the most popular. The ''Tengger'' people inhabit this area. Mount Semeru also known as Mahameru (Indonesian language ''holy mountain'' or ''seat of the gods''), is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. Semeru is often closed due to its highly active nature.

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There are many opportunities for trekking in the park to suite all levels of physical fitness. One of the most popular activities (especially for the less energetic!) is to stay in one of the simple lodges in the park, then drive up to the top of Mount Penanjakan (2,770 m) pre-dawn in a 4WD vehicle and wait for a truly spectacular sunrise. Later in the day, a slightly more arduous 90 min climb up to the rim of the Mount Bromo caldera to view the bubbling active crater is very worthwhile. You can also make this ascent seated atop one of the local ponies.

[[Image:Ijen_Crater.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The Ijen Crater in East Java]]

[[Image:Ijen_Crater.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The Ijen Crater in East Java]]

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The '''Ijen Plateau''' near [[Banyuwangi]] and Bondowoso is a less well known but in its own way equally spectacular area of volcanic activity. The Ijen Plateau is the centrepoint of the large mountain range west of [[Banyuwangi]] and which abutts the [[Baluran National Park]] to the north. For the adventurous traveller a visit to the '''Ijen Crater''' (''Kawah Ijen'') whilst in the region is a must. The crater can be approached from Bondowoso in the west or Banyuwangi in the east. The Bondowoso route is recommended as the road is relatively better (although that is not saying much) and the 90 minute foot climb much easier. When you arrive the colour of the water in the lake is scarcely believable being an extraordinary vivid aqua blue. Evidence of volcanic activity is everywhere with steaming water and brilliant yellow crystaline sulphur deposits. The Ijen Crater is one of the great natural wonders of Indonesia.

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The '''Ijen Plateau''' near [[Banyuwangi]] and Bondowoso is a less well known but in its own way equally spectacular area of volcanic activity. The Ijen Plateau is the centrepoint of the large mountain range west of [[Banyuwangi]] and which abutts the [[Baluran National Park]] to the north. For the adventurous traveller a visit to the '''Ijen Crater''' (''Kawah Ijen'') is a must whilst in the region. The crater can be approached from Bondowoso in the west or Banyuwangi in the east. The Bondowoso route is recommended as the road is relatively better (although that is not saying much) and the 90 min foot climb much easier. When you arrive the colour of the water in the lake is scarcely believable being an extraordinary vivid aqua blue. Evidence of volcanic activity is everywhere with steaming water and brilliant yellow crystaline sulphur deposits. The Ijen Crater is one of the great natural wonders of Indonesia.

'''[[Malang]]''' is a city of great historical significance. It was a seat of major power in Java's Hindu past and the Dutch took a great liking to its relatively cool, fresh climate in the colonial period. Modern day Malang, although significantly urbanised, has retained much of its historical character and a few days looking around this lovely city and visiting nearby places of interest, will be time well spent.

'''[[Malang]]''' is a city of great historical significance. It was a seat of major power in Java's Hindu past and the Dutch took a great liking to its relatively cool, fresh climate in the colonial period. Modern day Malang, although significantly urbanised, has retained much of its historical character and a few days looking around this lovely city and visiting nearby places of interest, will be time well spent.

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In the city centre a great first stop is Ijen Boulevard. This is a quite beautiful street lined with tropical trees against a backdrop of old colonial structures. The street houses a number of interesting buildings including the Brawijaya Army Museum, Immanual Catholic Church and the city library. Nearby Jalan Tugu is home of the city hall (''Balai Kota Malang''), the Tugu Monument, Aloon-Aloon Bunder (park) and the wonderful Tugu Hotel. The latter houses a magnificent collection of Javanese antiques and is a great place to stop by for lunch or tea.

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In the city centre a great first stop is Ijen Boulevard. This is a quite beautiful street lined with tropical trees against a backdrop of old colonial structures. The street houses a number of interesting buildings including the Brawijaya Army Museum, Immanual Catholic Church and the city library. Nearby Jalan Tugu is home of the city hall (''Balai Kota Malang''), the Tugu Monument, Aloon-Aloon Bunder (park) and the Tugu Hotel. The latter houses a magnificent collection of Javanese antiques and serves lunch or tea.

About 30 km south of Malang there are three lovely beaches close together: Balekambang, Ngliyep and Sendangbiru. It is best to visit on weekdays as this is a very popular weekend escape and it can get get crowded. It is not safe to swim here but these are great relaxation beaches which offer some stunning coastal scenery. There is a offshore island called Pulau Simpu which can be visited by chartering a boat from Sedangbiru beach. At Balekambang beach there are three little islets just offshore which are attached to the beach by walkways. Of the three beaches, Balekambang itself is the most attractive. The beaches are easily day-tripped from Malang in a car.

About 30 km south of Malang there are three lovely beaches close together: Balekambang, Ngliyep and Sendangbiru. It is best to visit on weekdays as this is a very popular weekend escape and it can get get crowded. It is not safe to swim here but these are great relaxation beaches which offer some stunning coastal scenery. There is a offshore island called Pulau Simpu which can be visited by chartering a boat from Sedangbiru beach. At Balekambang beach there are three little islets just offshore which are attached to the beach by walkways. Of the three beaches, Balekambang itself is the most attractive. The beaches are easily day-tripped from Malang in a car.

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'''[[bondowoso]]'''the lost ancient city, the region has many ancient stones and spread in several districts, such as kenong stone, grave stones, sarkofag, and others. Alun - alun city is the main place to gather people (the crowd), to the north stood the Regent Hall, which is an old building, and there are also Dutch heritage building that is now a Junior High School 1 Bondowoso. there are many more Dutch heritage buildings in this city. about 10 kilometers east of Bondowoso no brass handicraft center (Cindogo).

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the food is very typical in this city is a tape, made from cassava on fermentation with a sweet taste, this meal can get almost the entire city, especially in the Chinatown shop, east of the Alun - alun City.

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The '''[[Bondowoso]]''' region has many ancient stones spread across several districts including kenong stone, grave stones, sarkofag, and others. Alun - alun city is the main place to gather people (the crowd), to the north stood the Regent Hall, which is an old building, and there are also Dutch heritage building that is now a Junior High School 1 Bondowoso. There are many more Dutch heritage buildings in this city. about 10 km east of Bondowoso no brass handicraft center (Cindogo). Kalianyar village (sub-district Tamanan), 15 km south of Bondowoso is a good destination if you want to enjoy the countryside with cool air.

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KALIANYAR VILLAGE, 15 Kilometers south of Bondowoso. if you want to enjoy the countryside with the cool air, still quiet and feel the friendliness of its people, visiting this place is a very amazing experience. look at the lives of villagers and also interact with them, the process of rice farming can be viewed from the rainy season and dry season they started to plant tobacco (normally at the start in May or June) and the processing process is an activity that deserves to be seen(specially last August or early September). on weekends, there are performances of traditional music once a month and there are also traditional dances named Tari Aduan Sapi(Dance Bullfight)

==Do==

==Do==

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* Ride in a jeep up Mount Penanjakan in the [[Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park]] and experience one of the world's great sunrises.

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* Ride in a 4WD up Mount Penanjakan in the [[Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park]] and experience one of the world's great sunrises.

* Surf at G-Land near [[Banyuwangi]].

* Surf at G-Land near [[Banyuwangi]].

Line 115:

Line 118:

* Get off the beaten track and drive over the new bridge to the island of [[Madura]].

* Get off the beaten track and drive over the new bridge to the island of [[Madura]].

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* Watch a turtle laying eggs at [[Sukamade]] beach. A once in a lifetime experience.

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* Watch a turtle laying eggs at [[Sukamade]] beach.

* Experience whitewater rafting at Pekalen river, [[Probolinggo]].

* Experience whitewater rafting at Pekalen river, [[Probolinggo]].

==Eat==

==Eat==

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Eating is an extremely important part of life in East Java and there is an extraordinary range of options.

Eating is an extremely important part of life in East Java and there is an extraordinary range of options.

High quality western food is available in the large cities of Surabaya and Malang but there are so many local delights that any visitor is surely better off concentrating on these. Indonesian cuisine from all corners of this vast nation is widely available. As elsewhere in Indonesia, the best bet is often simple warungs and road-side stalls and the rule is to follow the local crowds.

High quality western food is available in the large cities of Surabaya and Malang but there are so many local delights that any visitor is surely better off concentrating on these. Indonesian cuisine from all corners of this vast nation is widely available. As elsewhere in Indonesia, the best bet is often simple warungs and road-side stalls and the rule is to follow the local crowds.

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Specific East Javanese specialities include:

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The food of East Java is similar to that of Central Java. East Java foods tend to be less sweet and spicier compared to the Central Java ones. Fish and fish/seafood products are quite extensive, and terasi (dried shrimp paste) and petis udang (shrimp paste) are used a great deal. Specific East Javanese specialities include:

Understand

The spine of East Java is dominated by a series of rugged, spectacular volcanic peaks. The most famous of these are in the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park and Semeru and Bromo together make up one of the great iconic images of Indonesia. There are four volcanic peaks higher than 3,000 m in the region. This volcanic activity has created a largely fertile area and verdant agriculture is a prominent feature of the area.

Both the north and south coasts offer some beautiful, deep, fine sand beaches and these are another key attraction of the region.

The two large southern national parks of Alas Purwo and Meru Betiri are remote and sparsely populated and represent the nearest thing to a wilderness experience that you will find on Java. In the north-east, Baluran National Park recalls African Savannah plains.

The island of Madura sits off the north eastern coast of the region and is as off-the-beaten-track as you can get in this part of Indonesia. That is slowly changing as the road bridge linking Surabaya to Madura opened in mid-2009.

Surabaya is the capital city and Indonesia's second largest. It is though largely bereft of attractions, over-crowded, polluted and supports sprawling industry. Few visitors stay in Surabaya for reasons of tourism. Malang is the second city of the region and a bigger contrast to Surabaya could not be imagined. It is a clean, airy city with an important and interesting history.

Talk

People in East Java speak Indonesian as well as Javanese which they mix together at times. A significant minority also speak Madurese. English will be understood and spoken at large city hotels and at obvious tourist destinations.

For all place names, beware that in the local East Javanese accent, "A" and "O" are largely interchangable: often the official spelling uses "A", but the locals pronounce it "O". Hence a resident of Surabaya is locally an arek Suroboyo and Cemoro Lawang and Cemara Lawang are the same place.

Malang's Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport (IATA: MLG) is a small airport with a few flights everyday from Jakarta and Bali.

By train

Surabaya is connected by rail from Jakarta, Semarang and Yogyakarta with many stop points in between [3]. It is possible to travel to the region from Bali with an all-in "train" ticket that also covers the necessary bus and ferry portions.

By ferry

Ferries ply the route between Gilimanuk, Bali and Banyuwangi every 20 min, 24 hr a day. The crossing itself takes about 30 min, although embarking and disembarking can take much longer.

Surabaya is a major national and international port city and virtually every major coastal city in Indonesia is connected to it in some way. Check the national passenger ship operator Pelni [4]for detailed information.

By bus

Frequent buses travel across Java and this is a reliable, if not always comfortable, method of travel. All of the the major cities and towns in the region can be reached by bus.

Get around

By car

Driving anywhere is Java is a hazardous business for visitors not used to Indonesian driving habits. East Java is no exception and visitors are advised to rent a car with a driver if this is your chosen method of getting around in the region.

By train

The region is well served by the national rail network which connects all major cities and towns. [5]

See

Sunrise at the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park

The Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park is the main attraction in East Java and accounts for a large percentage of overseas tourists who visit the region. The national park is named after its two mountains, Mount Semeru (the highest in Java at 3,676 m, Mount Bromo. the most popular. The Tengger people inhabit this area. Mount Semeru also known as Mahameru (Indonesian language holy mountain or seat of the gods), is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. Semeru is often closed due to its highly active nature.

There are many opportunities for trekking in the park to suite all levels of physical fitness. One of the most popular activities (especially for the less energetic!) is to stay in one of the simple lodges in the park, then drive up to the top of Mount Penanjakan (2,770 m) pre-dawn in a 4WD vehicle and wait for a truly spectacular sunrise. Later in the day, a slightly more arduous 90 min climb up to the rim of the Mount Bromo caldera to view the bubbling active crater is very worthwhile. You can also make this ascent seated atop one of the local ponies.

The Ijen Crater in East Java

The Ijen Plateau near Banyuwangi and Bondowoso is a less well known but in its own way equally spectacular area of volcanic activity. The Ijen Plateau is the centrepoint of the large mountain range west of Banyuwangi and which abutts the Baluran National Park to the north. For the adventurous traveller a visit to the Ijen Crater (Kawah Ijen) is a must whilst in the region. The crater can be approached from Bondowoso in the west or Banyuwangi in the east. The Bondowoso route is recommended as the road is relatively better (although that is not saying much) and the 90 min foot climb much easier. When you arrive the colour of the water in the lake is scarcely believable being an extraordinary vivid aqua blue. Evidence of volcanic activity is everywhere with steaming water and brilliant yellow crystaline sulphur deposits. The Ijen Crater is one of the great natural wonders of Indonesia.

Malang is a city of great historical significance. It was a seat of major power in Java's Hindu past and the Dutch took a great liking to its relatively cool, fresh climate in the colonial period. Modern day Malang, although significantly urbanised, has retained much of its historical character and a few days looking around this lovely city and visiting nearby places of interest, will be time well spent.
In the city centre a great first stop is Ijen Boulevard. This is a quite beautiful street lined with tropical trees against a backdrop of old colonial structures. The street houses a number of interesting buildings including the Brawijaya Army Museum, Immanual Catholic Church and the city library. Nearby Jalan Tugu is home of the city hall (Balai Kota Malang), the Tugu Monument, Aloon-Aloon Bunder (park) and the Tugu Hotel. The latter houses a magnificent collection of Javanese antiques and serves lunch or tea.

About 30 km south of Malang there are three lovely beaches close together: Balekambang, Ngliyep and Sendangbiru. It is best to visit on weekdays as this is a very popular weekend escape and it can get get crowded. It is not safe to swim here but these are great relaxation beaches which offer some stunning coastal scenery. There is a offshore island called Pulau Simpu which can be visited by chartering a boat from Sedangbiru beach. At Balekambang beach there are three little islets just offshore which are attached to the beach by walkways. Of the three beaches, Balekambang itself is the most attractive. The beaches are easily day-tripped from Malang in a car.

The Bondowoso region has many ancient stones spread across several districts including kenong stone, grave stones, sarkofag, and others. Alun - alun city is the main place to gather people (the crowd), to the north stood the Regent Hall, which is an old building, and there are also Dutch heritage building that is now a Junior High School 1 Bondowoso. There are many more Dutch heritage buildings in this city. about 10 km east of Bondowoso no brass handicraft center (Cindogo). Kalianyar village (sub-district Tamanan), 15 km south of Bondowoso is a good destination if you want to enjoy the countryside with cool air.

Eat

Eating is an extremely important part of life in East Java and there is an extraordinary range of options.

High quality western food is available in the large cities of Surabaya and Malang but there are so many local delights that any visitor is surely better off concentrating on these. Indonesian cuisine from all corners of this vast nation is widely available. As elsewhere in Indonesia, the best bet is often simple warungs and road-side stalls and the rule is to follow the local crowds.

The food of East Java is similar to that of Central Java. East Java foods tend to be less sweet and spicier compared to the Central Java ones. Fish and fish/seafood products are quite extensive, and terasi (dried shrimp paste) and petis udang (shrimp paste) are used a great deal. Specific East Javanese specialities include:

Get out

This is a usable article. It gives a good overview of the region, its sights, and how to get in, as well as links to the main destinations, whose articles are similarly well developed. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!